adverb

loosely

Translation

loosely, vaguely, imprecisely

The shirt fits loosely.

The term is loosely defined.

They are loosely connected.

((verb)) to do (sth.) loosely The rope was loosely tied.

((be)) loosely ((based on sth.)) to be based on (sth.) without being exact The film is loosely based on a true story.

Synonyms: freely, inexactly, vaguely; Antonyms: tightly, precisely, strictly

From the adjective 'loose' plus the adverb-forming suffix '-ly'.

Think of a 'loose' knot, which is tied 'loosely'. It's not tight or exact.